Alipay Setup Guide for Foreigners
Complete step-by-step guide to set up and use Alipay in China
Direct International Card Binding! Alipay now supports direct binding of Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex for foreign users. You only need a valid passport for identity verification.
Video Tutorial
Can't load? Open directly on YouTube (VPN required in China)
Download Alipay App
Get the official app from your app store
- ▸ Search "Alipay" in App Store or Google Play
- ▸ Look for the blue icon by "Ant Group" — NOT third-party copies
- ▸ Download and install
- ▸ Open the app and select English as your language
💡 Pro Tip: Download the OFFICIAL Alipay app. Many copycat apps exist. The real one has 1B+ downloads.
Create Your Account
Register with your phone number — no Chinese number needed
- ▸ Tap "Sign Up" on the welcome screen
- ▸ Enter your international phone number (any country works)
- ▸ Verify via SMS code — arrives within 30 seconds
- ▸ Create a 6-digit payment password (memorize this!)
- ▸ Complete your profile — name, nationality, passport number
💡 Pro Tip: Your phone number becomes your permanent login. Use a number you will keep — not a travel SIM that expires.
Verify Your Identity
Upload your passport — required by Chinese law for all foreign users
- ▸ Go to "Me" tab (person icon, bottom right)
- ▸ Tap Settings → Account Security → Identity Verification
- ▸ Select "Foreign Passport" as your ID type
- ▸ Take a clear photo of your passport information page
- ▸ Take a selfie — the app will match it to your passport photo
- ▸ Wait 1-5 minutes for automatic verification
💡 Pro Tip: Good lighting is critical for the selfie match. Remove glasses, face a window. If it fails, try again — the system improves with each attempt.
Add Your International Card
Link Visa, Mastercard, or Amex — no Chinese bank account needed
- ▸ Go to "Me" → "Bank Cards & Payment" → "Add Card"
- ▸ Select "International Card"
- ▸ Enter your card number, expiry date, and CVV
- ▸ Confirm your billing address (match your bank records exactly)
- ▸ Complete 3D Secure verification if prompted by your bank
- ▸ Set this card as your default payment method
💡 Pro Tip: Supported: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Discover, Diners Club. Debit cards work too. If one card fails, try another — some banks block China transactions by default.
Set Up Tour Pass (Optional but Recommended)
Pre-load money for offline use and better exchange rates
- ▸ From the home screen, search "Tour Pass" or find it in "More Services"
- ▸ Select your country and currency
- ▸ Choose a prepaid amount — 200-500 RMB to start
- ▸ Top up with your international card
- ▸ Tour Pass works even without internet — useful in subways and rural areas
💡 Pro Tip: Tour Pass offers better exchange rates than real-time card transactions. Load 500 RMB — it covers 2-3 days of food and transport.
Test Your Setup
Make a small payment to confirm everything works
- ▸ Find any convenience store (FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, Lawson)
- ▸ Open Alipay, tap "Scan"
- ▸ Scan the merchant's blue QR code
- ▸ Enter the amount shown on the register
- ▸ Confirm with your payment password or fingerprint
- ▸ Check the green confirmation screen — you're all set!
💡 Pro Tip: Test with a small purchase (10-20 RMB) at a convenience store first. Cashiers are patient with foreigners trying Alipay.
🎉
Great! You've Set Up Alipay!
✨ Always keep your phone charged — a dead phone = no payment.
✨ Set a strong payment password. Never share it with anyone.
✨ If a payment fails, try WeChat Pay as backup — hence set up both.
✨ For large purchases, split into sub-200 RMB payments to avoid the 3% international card fee.
✨ The app works offline for payments once set up — great for subways and rural areas.